5 Effective and Easy Green Living Tips for Homeowners

August 1st, 2014 admin

Even with supply and demand leading to a major increase in eco-friendly consumer goods, going green still isn’t an easy undertaking. It requires some education and a bit of thought when it comes to everything from the car you drive to the products and practices in your home. For example, most people don’t think twice about the box of cereal they buy at the store. But adopting a green mentality requires you to consider the chemicals (pesticides, fertilizer, etc.) used to grow the grains that make up your cereal, the energy needed to run the manufacturing plant where it is made and packaged, the materials used to create the packaging, the carbon emissions produced while transporting it to your grocery store, and the impact that will result when you throw the box away. And that’s just your morning bowl of Cheerios! It can be a lot to take in for the busy, modern consumer. So if you’re looking for easy and effective ways to make your household a little greener, here are some tips to try.

Shop local and organic. You can start the journey towards a greener home by considering what you bring into it, and shopping for local and organic goods can help immensely. This isn’t to say that you have to give up all the products you love, but try to become aware of what you’re buying and what it represents when it comes to environmental friendliness. When you purchase organic goods, you’re doing your part to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and so on that pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. And when you shop locally, you not only support local business; you also fight the carbon pollution resulting from having goods shipped to your location. So get to your farmer’s market this summer and hit up local grocers and boutiques.

Conduct a home energy audit. Most people have no idea how inefficient their homes are. But you’re the one paying the price when energy is wasted. So it behooves you to find out where waste is occurring. A home energy auditor can inspect your structure and run tests to determine where problem areas are. And from there you can seal leaks, increase insulation, and address ventilation to ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible.

Take steps to conserve. Turning off the lights and electronics when you leave the room is a good start, but you might also want to go the extra mile to conserve around the house by installing (and setting) a programmable thermostat, putting your electronics on power bars that can be switched off to stop phantom drain, and upgrading to low-flow toilets and aerated faucets, just for example.

Upgrade electronics. If you’re in the market for anything electronic, from light bulbs to TVs to appliances, you’ll find that EnergyStar.gov can offer you energy-efficient options. If you’re going to buy new anyway, you might as well upgrade to items that are going to help you cut your carbon footprint, not to mention your energy bill, in the process.

Consider renewable energy options. There are now more options than ever when it comes to using renewable energy and creating the green home you crave. For example, vendors like Renogy can provide homes with solar panels. Or if you’re more interested in wind, water, or geothermal options, you can find companies that will install equipment to harness the renewable energy source most prominent in your environment. And if you want even easier options, consider purchasing renewable energy certificates that help to ensure the growth of renewable energy sources.